Investigators search for 'person of interest' in South Philadelphia homicide

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF)- Investigators say they are looking for a person of interest in connection with a homicide at a South Philadelphia restaurant.

The victim has been identified as Thoung Nguyen.

According to police, the 54-year-old woman was found murdered in the basement at a Vietnamese restaurant at 5th Street and Washington Avenue Thursday night.

Police say Nguyen was found fatally stabbed in the basement of Lee's Cafe & Bistro, which served as the kitchen. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sources tell FOX 29's Dave Kinchen there appeared to be a violent struggle.

According to preliminary reports, the victim was employed as the cook at the restaurant and was in the basement preparing food with another employee who goes by the name of "Noelle", a male between the ages of 25-30 years-old and drives a white SUV.

The owner of the business sent an order to the kitchen and after 10 minutes he did not receive any food. According to police, the owner went down to the basement and found the victim alone lying on the floor with her throat slashed.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of "Noelle" is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334, or dial 911. There is a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in all homicide investigation.